Season | 2021 |
---|---|
Dates | June 26 – November 16 (regular season) |
Champions | Pacific FC (1st title) |
Regular season winners | Forge FC (1st title) |
CONCACAF Champions League | Forge FC[a] |
CONCACAF League | Pacific FC |
Matches played | 112 |
Goals scored | 282 (2.52 per match) |
Top goalscorer | João Morelli (14 goals) |
Best goalkeeper | Jonathan Sirois (9 clean sheets) |
Biggest home win | Forge FC 4–0 Atlético Ottawa (August 25) Pacific FC 5–1 FC Edmonton (October 26) |
Biggest away win | Valour FC 0–3 FC Edmonton (September 7) Atlético Ottawa 0–3 Forge FC (October 3) |
Highest scoring | 7 goals FC Edmonton 3–4 Atlético Ottawa (October 12) |
Longest winning run | 3 matches Valour FC (June 27 – July 3, July 11–18) Pacific FC (July 21 – August 4, August 29 – September 9) Forge FC (September 25 – October 6, October 30 – November 9) |
Longest unbeaten run | 10 matches HFX Wanderers (August 22 – October 3) |
Longest winless run | 8 matches Atlético Ottawa (August 18 – September 19) Valour FC (August 29 – October 5) |
Longest losing run | 4 matches Valour FC (July 24 – August 12) |
Highest attendance | 12,064 Atlético Ottawa 2–1 HFX Wanderers (August 14) |
← 2020 2022 →
|
The 2021 Canadian Premier League season was the third season of the Canadian Premier League, the top level of Canadian soccer. Forge FC were defending champions, after defeating HFX Wanderers FC in the 2020 final.[1]
The season was planned to commence on May 22, the Victoria Day weekend, pending the approval of government authorities and the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.[2] However, on May 14, it was announced that the start was to be pushed back to mid-June or early July.[3]
On June 5, the league committed to a full 28-match season, but that the season would begin in a single-site bubble at IG Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba, promoted as "The Kickoff", with each team playing eight matches between June 26 and July 24. All matches were played behind closed doors and in compliance with Manitoba public health orders.[4] On July 30, the CPL began to play matches at home venues.[5]
Pacific FC defeated two-time champions and title holders Forge FC in the final to win their first title.
Team and rule changes
[edit]The same eight clubs that participated in the 2020 Canadian Premier League season competed in 2021. York United FC participated under their new name for the first time, having previously been known as York9 FC.
Teams were required to play Canadian players aged 21 years or younger for a minimum of 1,500 minutes this season, increased from 1,000 minutes.[6] The maximum team compensation for this season was $1.2 million split between players and coaching staff. The required spend on player compensation was $650,000 to $850,000.[7]
Teams
[edit]Stadiums and locations
[edit]Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Atlético Ottawa | Ottawa | TD Place Stadium | 24,000 |
Cavalry | Foothills County | ATCO Field | 6,000 |
FC Edmonton | Edmonton | Clarke Stadium | 5,100 |
Forge | Hamilton | Tim Hortons Field | 23,218 |
HFX Wanderers | Halifax | Wanderers Grounds | 6,500 |
Pacific | Langford | Starlight Stadium | 6,000 |
Valour | Winnipeg | IG Field | 33,000 |
York United | Toronto | York Lions Stadium | 4,000 |
Personnel and sponsorship
[edit]Team | Head coach | Captain(s) | Shirt sponsor | Kit manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atlético Ottawa | ![]() |
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ComeOn! | Macron |
Cavalry | ![]() |
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WestJet | |
FC Edmonton | ![]() |
Swoop | ||
Forge | ![]() |
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Tim Hortons | |
HFX Wanderers | ![]() |
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Volkswagen | |
Pacific | ![]() |
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Valour | ![]() |
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OneSoccer | |
York United | ![]() |
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Macron |
Number of teams by province or territory
[edit]Rank | Province or territory | Number | Teams |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
3 | Atlético Ottawa Forge York United |
2 | ![]() |
2 | Cavalry FC Edmonton |
3 | ![]() |
1 | Pacific |
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Valour | ||
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HFX Wanderers |
Coaching changes
[edit]Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming coach | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FC Edmonton | ![]() |
Resigned[8] | September 21, 2020 | Pre-season | ![]() |
November 24, 2020[9] |
Valour FC | ![]() |
Sacked[10] | September 23, 2021 | 5th | ![]() |
September 23, 2021 |
Regular season
[edit]Format
[edit]Between June 26 and July 24, teams played their first eight games at IG Field in Winnipeg. Teams from Eastern Canada and Western Canada played two matches against each of the four teams in the opposite region to reduce travel when teams return to home stadiums.[11] For the remainder of the season, teams played 16 games against opponents from their own region and 4 against opponents from the opposite region.[12]
Table
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Forge (S) | 28 | 16 | 2 | 10 | 39 | 24 | +15 | 50 | Advance to playoffs |
2 | Cavalry | 28 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 34 | 30 | +4 | 50 | |
3 | Pacific (C) | 28 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 47 | 34 | +13 | 45 | |
4 | York United | 28 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 35 | 39 | −4 | 36 | |
5 | Valour | 28 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 38 | 36 | +2 | 35 | |
6 | HFX Wanderers | 28 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 28 | 34 | −6 | 35 | |
7 | FC Edmonton | 28 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 34 | 41 | −7 | 28 | |
8 | Atlético Ottawa | 28 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 30 | 47 | −17 | 26 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins.[13]
(C) Champions; (S) Regular season winner
Results
[edit]The Kickoff
[edit]Combined
[edit]Playoffs
[edit]The top-four teams in the regular season qualified for the league playoffs. The first-place team hosted the fourth, and the second-place team hosted the third in a single match round. The winners advanced to the CPL Final, a single match hosted by the higher-seeded team.[12]
If a match was level at the end of normal playing time, extra time would be played (two periods of 15 minutes each) and followed, if necessary, by a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner. If a match reached extra time, each team was allowed to make an additional substitution.[14]
Semi-finals November 20–21 | Final December 5 | ||||||||
1 | Forge FC | 3 | |||||||
4 | York United | 1 | |||||||
1 | Forge FC | 0 | |||||||
3 | Pacific FC | 1 | |||||||
2 | Cavalry FC | 1 | |||||||
3 | Pacific FC (a.e.t.) | 2 |
Matches
[edit]Semi-finals
[edit]November 20, 2021 | Cavalry FC | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Pacific FC | Foothills County, Alberta |
1:00 pm MST (UTC−07:00) | Yao ![]() |
Report | Stadium: ATCO Field Attendance: 2,927 Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauzière |
November 21, 2021 | Forge FC | 3–1 | York United | Hamilton, Ontario |
3:00 pm EST (UTC−05:00) | Report | Petrasso ![]() |
Stadium: Tim Hortons Field Attendance: 5,123 Referee: Juan Marquez |
Final
[edit]December 5, 2021 | Forge FC | 0–1 | Pacific FC | Hamilton, Ontario |
4:30pm EST (UTC−05:00) | Report | Hojabrpour ![]() |
Stadium: Tim Hortons Field Attendance: 7,488 Referee: Yusri Rudolf |
Awards
[edit]Canadian Premier League Awards
[edit]On December 4, 2021, the Canadian Premier League revealed the nominees for the four individual awards that would be voted on by the media. These four awards plus the Golden Boot award are given based on performance over the whole season including Finals. The awards are Inuit soapstone sculptures designed by artists from Cape Dorset, Nunavut.[15] The winners were announced at a ceremony on December 14.[16]
Award | Recipient | Finalists[15] |
---|---|---|
Golden Boot (Hunter) | ![]() |
N/A |
Golden Glove (Qimmiq or Canadian Inuit Dog) | ![]() |
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Coach of the Year (Owl) | ![]() |
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Player of the Year (Nikisuittuq) | ![]() |
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Best Under 21 Canadian Player of the Year (Polar Bear) | ![]() |
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Team of the Week
[edit]The Gatorade Team of the Week is selected by OneSoccer staff.
Team of the Week | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dates | Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards | Ref |
June 26–28 | ![]() |
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[17] |
June 28 – July 5 |
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[18] |
July 5–12 | ![]() |
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[19] |
July 12–19 | ![]() |
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[20] |
July 20–26 | ![]() |
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[21] |
July 26 – August 2 |
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[22] |
August 2–9 | ![]() |
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[23] |
August 9–16 | ![]() |
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[24] |
August 16–23 | ![]() |
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[25] |
August 23–30 | ![]() |
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[26] |
August 30– September 7 |
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[27] |
September 7–13 | ![]() |
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[28] |
September 13–20 | ![]() |
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[29] |
September 20–27 | ![]() |
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[30] |
September 27 – October 4 |
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[31] |
October 4–12 | ![]() |
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[32] |
October 12–18 | ![]() |
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[33] |
October 19–25 | ![]() |
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[34] |
October 25 – November 1 |
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[35] |
November 2–8 | ![]() |
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[36] |
Statistical leaders
[edit]
Top scorers[edit]
|
Top assists[edit]
|
Clean sheets[edit]
|
Hat-tricks[edit]
|
Player transfers
[edit]U Sports Draft
[edit]The 2021 CPL–U Sports Draft was held virtually on January 29. Draftees are invited to team preseason camps, with an opportunity to earn a developmental contract and retain their U Sports men's soccer eligibility. FC Edmonton selected Thomas Gardner with the first overall pick. Two players were selected by each CPL team, with a total of 16 players being drafted including 12 Canadians.[40]
Foreign players
[edit]Canadian Premier League teams could sign a maximum of seven international players, out of which only five could be in the starting line-up for each match. Starting this season, teams were required to carry a minimum of four international players, either signed through or approved by the league's scouting partner, 21st Club.[41] The following players were considered foreign players for the 2021 season. This list does not include Canadian citizens who represent other countries at the international level.[42]
Players in italic denote players new to their respective clubs for the 2021 season, sorted chronologically by their announcement.
References
[edit]- ^ "Forge FC beats HFX Wanderers FC in Island Games final to repeat as CPL champions". Canadian Premier League. September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ^ Davidson, Neil (January 19, 2021). "Canadian Premier League set to open 3rd season on Victoria Day weekend". CBC. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "CPL 2021 season update: Clanachan committed to 'June or early July' start at single site, full 28-game season". Canadian Premier League. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ "'The Kickoff' is coming: Winnipeg chosen as hub city for Canadian Premier League". CTV News Winnipeg. June 6, 2021. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "CPL reveals remainder of 2021 season schedule presented by WestJet". Canadian Premier League. July 12, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "CPL increasing U-21 minutes threshold to 1,500 for 2021 season". Canadian Premier League. January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ Davidson, Neil (March 8, 2021). "Canadian Premier League opens up about finances, saying it's time for transparency". CBC Sports. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ "Jeff Paulus steps down as FC Edmonton coach - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ John Molinaro (November 24, 2020). "FC Edmonton names Alan Koch new coach, Director of Football Operations". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ "Valour FC parts ways with Rob Gale, appoints Phillip dos Santos coach & GM". Canadian Premier League. September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ Thompson, Marty (June 9, 2021). "2021 CPL 'Kickoff' schedule presented by WestJet: View all 32 matches". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "CPL reveals 2021 season format: 28-game schedule to conclude with four-team playoff for championship". Canadian Premier League. June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ Jacques, John (October 24, 2021). "Pacific Procures Back-To-Back Playoff Positions". Northern Tribune. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
With the CPL tiebreaker defaulting to the number of wins
- ^ "2021 CPL Final: Tentative dates set for championship match next weekend". Canadian Premier League. November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Thompson, Marty (December 4, 2021). "CPL Awards 2021: Nominees unveiled, ceremony set for December 14". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ Jaques, John (December 14, 2021). "2021 Canadian Premier League Awards Roundup". Northern Tribune. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 1)". Canadian Premier League. June 28, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL week 2)". Canadian Premier League. July 5, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL week 3)". Canadian Premier League. July 12, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 4)". Canadian Premier League. July 19, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL week 5)". Canadian Premier League. July 26, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 6)". Canadian Premier League. August 3, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 7)". Canadian Premier League. August 9, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 8)". Canadian Premier League. August 16, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL week 9)". Canadian Premier League. August 23, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 10)". Canadian Premier League. August 30, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 11)". Canadian Premier League. September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 12)". Canadian Premier League. September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 13)". Canadian Premier League. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 14)". Canadian Premier League. September 27, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 15)". Canadian Premier League. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ Thompson, Marty (October 12, 2021). "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 16)". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (CPL Week 17)". Canadian Premier League. October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (Week 18)". Canadian Premier League. October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (Week 19)". Canadian Premier League. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ "Gatorade Team of the Week (Week 20)". Canadian Premier League. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ a b "2021 CPL players statistics". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ "2021 CPL goalkeepers statistics". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ "Pacific FC 4-2 Atlético Ottawa". Canadian Premier League. July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "FC Edmonton take UBC's Thomas Gardner 1st overall in CPL-U SPORTS Draft". Canadian Premier League. January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ @plattoli (November 10, 2020). "One interesting feature of this CanPL offseason: clubs are now being required to carry at least four international players, all of whom must either come through or be approved by the league and the 21st Club's centralized scouting" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "CPL 2020 roster tracker: How all eight teams are shaping up". Canadian Premier League. March 11, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.